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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






2. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






3. Pertains to tone or tones.






4. A composition written for eight instruments.






5. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






6. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






7. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






8. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






9. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






10. Indicating speed.






11. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






12. Unmusical - without tone.






13. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






14. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






15. Pertains to tone or tones.






16. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






17. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






18. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






19. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






20. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






21. Lowest female singing voice.






22. The distance in pitch between two notes.






23. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






24. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






25. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






26. Lowest female singing voice.






27. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






28. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






29. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






30. A string of chords played in succession.






31. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






32. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






33. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






34. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






35. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






36. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






37. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






38. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






39. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






40. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






41. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






42. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






43. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






44. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






45. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






46. A direction to play lively and fast.






47. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






48. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






49. A direction to play lively and fast.






50. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.